Patters

It's not my intent to defend him and basically I agree with you, but I would guess that both of us are coming from a middle class world view. If you grow with a crack addict mother, no dad, and drugs all around, Vick may be someone you can relate to. At least he apologized and is living within the law. He's not a role model for me in part because his story is so different from mine.

Mrs.PatsFanInVa

I don't like what he did, either....but the key phrase is "did," not "is doing."

Whatever ever happened to redemption? Forgiveness?

Are we all that perfect that we can look back and say, "Boy, golly, I sure have been perfect," or am I the only one here who's screwed up once upon a time, overcame it and is willing to admit it?

It's harder to come back from a bad place than it is to have stayed in a good place, so yeah, I can see how Vick could be considered a role model of sorts for people who've messed up and are now afraid that there's no road back.

Honestly, if I want to hear about surviving alcoholism or drug addiction I'm gonna trust what an ex-junkie or an ex-drunk tells me far more than I am going to trust someone who's never been there.

Everyone talks about the horrible statistics that say once you've been to prison you're going to end up back in prison - Vick's story is different. That's an accomplishment. It doesn't negate what he did to get sent to prison in the first place but the fact that he's been in prison also doesn't negate the fact that he's accomplished things since getting out.

chicowalker

Yeah, I understand you're not defending him.

I'm sure Vick is somebody others can relate to, but I would think there are better role models from that background.

(In general I think far too many people put athletes on the hero pedestal, so that's partly coloring my view here, btw.)

chicowalker

I just don't think any of that makes him a hero, mrs

Mrs.PatsFanInVa

Maybe this will help.

Vick began speaking with the Humane Society almost immediately after his release from prison and continues to do so to this day.

Vick has been speaking about the evils of dogfighting to youth groups under a program administered by the Humane Society of the United States.

"He has been effective in helping young men choose a better path," said John Goodwin, the Humane Society's manager of animal fighting issues. "He is the example of how dogfighting is a destructive, dead-end activity with enormous consequences."

Vick was not required to perform such a community service under his sentence, Goodwin said. Nor was he required to set aside, as he did, nearly $1 million to help with the disposition of 60-plus dogs who survived his dogfighting ring.

Michael Vick, NFL star and convicted dogfighter, to host Gulfstream Park party - Sun Sentinel


Wayne Pacelle; President and CEO US Humane Society

"I was skeptical, but Michael said he didn't just want to do a press release, he wanted to dedicate his life to this... and in the year and a half I have known him, he hasn't turned me down once."

Continue reading on Examiner.com: Michael Vick urges kids to spread the word about evils of dog fighting - National Pet Rescue | Examiner.com Michael Vick urges kids to spread the word about evils of dog fighting - National Pet Rescue | Examiner.com

Mrs.PatsFanInVa

I don't believe anyone said he was a "Hero," did they?

The award from Norfolk is for being a "life success."

wistahpatsfan

*(Disclaimer: Most dogs I know are excellent, loving, reliable and intelligent. I can't say the same for people and cats)

"The Norfolk-based group, which has hosted the Afr'Am Festival in Town Point Park, said it plans to honor Vick because he has "epitomized the meaning of 'hero' not only by his unparalleled accomplishments on the football field, but more importantly, by his relentless resilience in overcoming the obstacles he has faced... and becoming a true example of life success for all to emulate," a news release says

First...they DO call him a hero. He is most definitely NOT a hero. He is a torturer and killer of dogs. He is a sick individual. Children who do that are many times more likely to harm humans than those who don't. Any adult who does that is dangerous, IMO, no matter how soft-spoken and talented they are.

And he's not that good of a quarterback...certainly not "unparalleled".

This "major award" is not about redemption. It's about sucking up to the rich and/or famous awardee who may respond with a major contribution to the awarder. 99.9% of poor black kids born to crack moms without dads never end up torturing or killing dogs or people.

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Mrs.PatsFanInVa

Sorry, didn't catch that.

Ok - I wouldn't go so far as to say he's a hero - but I also won't go so far as to say he's scum, either.

Lots of people were scum at one time and then cleaned up their act. That's what America's about in a way, isn't it? It's a land of second chances.

So - he used to be scum but he's trying to overcome his scumminess, how's that? Do you grant him that possibility or don't you?

Because if you don't then you shouldn't give it to anyone else, either. Not to me who had a child out of wedlock, not to PR who used to be an alcoholic, not to any one who ever broke a law or cheated on their taxes or their wife or their husband or got into an accident while drunk driving or hurt someone in a barroom brawl or anything else.

The legal system in this country applies to everyone. You commit a crime, you do the time, pay your fine and then they let you out - and it is considered that you have made your restitution and you get to start over having paid your debt to society.

I'd much rather see someone succeed than fail, wouldn't you?

It almost seems as though people are angry that Vick's not fallen back into his old ways.

What's up with that, anyhow?

Harry Boy

If he didn't get caught he'd still be doing it, why are liberals so eagar to forgive this rat bastard but they still hold hatred in their hearts for Ronald Reagan & GW Bush.

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Harry Boy (Genius)

In The Absence Of Law And Order Society Will Surely Destroy Itself

chicowalker

I don't doubt that he's done some of this, and it's a start, but imo it is just a start.

(and I'm not impressed at all by the financial contribution -- they were his dogs, he's responsible for their care)